Australia welcomes its first saint

Tens of thousands of Catholics have gathered at ceremonies across Australia to witness the canonisation of the country’s first saint.

Huge screens meant they were able to watch Pope Benedict canonise nun Mary MacKillop thousands of kilometres away at the Vatican.

Many applauded when they heard the announcement.

“It’s a special celebration and I think every Australian would say that Mary was a great Australian and a great believer in the power of education and the power of using your life to make a difference for others.” said Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

An estimated ten thousand people converged on the nun’s tomb in Sydney.

She qualified for sainthood after two miracles were attributed to her intercession.

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